As a member of the Orcas Rec advisory board from 1997 until 2010, I have a unique insight into the material discussed in the article concerning San Juan County’s plan to sell equipment to the Orcas Park & Rec District.

I specifically object to Milene’s statement that “..no donations to the program were specifically ‘earmarked’ for specific uses. Therefore, it is hard to say that the equipment was purchased by Orcas donations. It was purchased with revenue to the program…”

That statement is incorrect. The most expensive property that we had, the soccer goals, were purchased with donated money through the Orcas Island Community Foundation specifically to buy those soccer goals for the children of Orcas. Many local businesses donated money specifically to purchase shirts for the soccer teams. Their business names are actually ON the shirts. Golf equipment was donated specifically for the use of Orcas children. I was personally involved in raising money and designing the “Orcas Island Ultimate” frisbees that the county took after Orcas Rec closed its doors.

Finally, and maybe most disturbing to me is the fact that the county is including used soccer cleats that Orcas families donated for the “Cleat Exchange” program that Didier created.

Now the county wants to sell all of these assets back to us?

I can only think of one word that describes the action of the county on this issue: outrageous!

Bob Phalan

Orcas Island